ICC Champions Trophy 2025: BCCI finalizes Jasprit Bumrah's replacement, pacer needs 'miracle' for CT participation
Published - 27 Jan 2025, 10:43 AM | Updated - 27 Jan 2025, 11:34 PM
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The year 2024 was incredibly memorable for Jasprit Bumrah, but now it seems that his back issue might force him to miss the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Fitness of Bumrah, who had already missed the 2022 T20 World Cup due to this problem, is the biggest concern for India presently.
It is being said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is already preparing a backup plan as Jasprit Bumrah might not recover in time for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Jasprit Bumrah’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hopes fade
However, Bumrah has been included in the 2025 Champions Trophy squad and for the third ODI against England, but hopes of his participation remain low in Ahmedabad on February 12.
Notably, the Indian selectors can make changes to their 2025 Champions Trophy squad until February 11, so the BCCI is trying every possible way to get Bumrah for the prestigious tournament.
In another scenario, Harshit Rana was already named for the first two ODIs against England, but sources revealed that the experienced pacer Mohammed Siraj is a strong contender to get the nod if Bumrah fails to recover in time for the upcoming eight-nation tournament.
BCCI coordinates with New Zealand specialist over Bumrah’s injury
Meanwhile, the BCCI medical team is reportedly coordinating with Dr. Rowan Schouten in New Zealand to evaluate Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury. The national selectors are well aware of the fact that only a miracle can happen in Bumrah’s case for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
A BCCI source was quoted as saying by Times of India: “The BCCI medical team is in touch with Schouten in New Zealand. The board had also planned a visit for Bumrah to New Zealand. But that hasn’t happened yet. The selectors know it will be a miracle if Bumrah turns up 100% fit in the given timeline.”
His reports will be shared with the orthopedic surgeon, and a decision on sending him will depend on the findings and feedback from Schouten’s evaluation.
BCCI prepares backup plan for Champions Trophy 2025 as Jasprit Bumrah’s recovery timeline remains uncertain
However, the board and the star player both are against rushing his recovery, as they had rushed him back into action during a home series against Australia in 2022, which led to him getting injured again and missing the T20 World Cup.
The source further stated, “The reports will be shared with his doctor in New Zealand. Sending Bumrah to New Zealand will depend on the feedback. The board and Bumrah himself are not willing to push hard given his significance over a long period of time. Selectors will only be informed if he is ready to take the field after the entire process is complete. The selectors will need to keep a backup plan ready for him. It will be a miracle if Bumrah makes it.”
Notably, Bumrah and other Indian fast bowlers who played regularly during the Test season were advised to follow a three-week offloading period. During this time, players were instructed to avoid any intense physical activity, including basic fitness training.
The BCCI's medical team was scheduled to assess Bumrah's condition after this offloading period, which ended last week, and there is no update on this yet.
